item details
NameNguru (nose flute)
ProductionUnknown; carver; 1800-1900; Northland
Classificationnguru, nose flutes
Materialswood, muka (fibre)
Materials SummaryWood, muka fibre
Techniqueswood carving
DimensionsOverall: 55mm (width), 143mm (length), 50mm (depth), 192 (weight)
Registration NumberOL000021
Credit lineOldman Collection. Gift of the New Zealand Government, 1992
Overview
The carving on thislarge, wooden nguru (nose flute) is consistent with the Northland carving style.It featuressinuous design patterns of haehae(double parallel grooves)with pakati (dog tooth pattern) notching,and stylised humanistic faces. The note-stops are countersunk with paua (New Zealand abalone) shell inlay, and paua shell inlay also decorates the body of the instrument. The nguru also has an attachedcord with a small muka (flax fibre) poi(ball) on the endfor cleaning the bore.